Collins is a free agent who finished this past season with the Washington Wizards. He wants to continue his career.

"When I was younger I dated women," Collins wrote. "I even got engaged. I thought I had to live a certain way. I thought I needed to marry a woman and raise kids with her. I kept telling myself the sky was red, but I always knew it was blue."

Jarron Collins, Jason's twin, also wrote a first-person piece for SI in which he said his brother told him last summer: "I won't lie. I had no idea. We talked, he answered my questions, I hugged him and I digested what he had told me. At the end of the day, this is what matters: He's my brother, he's a great guy, and I want him to be happy. I'll love him and I'll support him and, if necessary, I'll protect him."

Former President Bill Clinton, whose daughter Chelsea was a classmate of Collins at Stanford, issued a statement of support saying: "Jason's announcement today is an important moment for professional sports and in the history of the LGBT community. ... I hope that everyone, particularly Jason's colleagues in the NBA, the media and his many fans extend to him their support and the respect he has earned."

NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement: "Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue."

"'Courage' and 'inspiration' are words that get thrown around a lot in sports, but Jason Collins has given both ideas a brand new context," said Aaron McQuade, head of GLAAD's sports program. "We hope that his future team will welcome him, and that fans of the NBA and sports in general will applaud him."

Collins wrote in his SI piece that he was jealous of Joe Kennedy, Collins' roommate at Stanford and a Democratic congressman, marching in a gay pride parade in Boston when he was running for office.

"For as long as I've known Jason Collins, he has been defined by three things: His passion for the sport he loves, his unwavering integrity, and the biggest heart you will ever find," Kennedy said in a statement. "Without question or hesitation, he gives everything he's got to those of us lucky enough to be in his life. I'm proud to stand with him today and proud to call him a friend."

Collins has started 476 games, including nine this year, over 12 NBA seasons. He's averaged 3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

He played 6½ seasons for the then-New Jersey Nets, who drafted him 18th overall in 2001. His best season was 2004-05, when he posted 6.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 0.9 blocks a game and led the NBA in personal fouls.

Collins was traded in 2008 to the Memphis Grizzlies. He finished that season with them before a one-season stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He helped the Atlanta Hawks to playoff berths from 2010-12, then this season joined the Boston Celtics. He was dealt to the Wizards midseason.

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NBA player Jason Collins came out as the first openly gay professional athlete. His team, the Washington Wizards, made a statement supporting Collins.
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"If you have learned anything from Jackie Robinson, it is that teammates are always the first to accept," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said in a statement. "It will be society who has to learn tolerance."

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Jason Collins finished the 2013 NBA season with the Wizards, then announced he was gay, the first openly gay player in the NBA. Flip through this gallery for a look at his career.
Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports